CENTRAL EUROPE IN THE AGE OF

ABSOLUTISM

Section 3

Habsburg Austria Lost a lot of territory in Thirty Years’ War Over next 100 years, acquired new lands

From Turks and Treaty of UtrechtStretched into the Balkans, Hungary, and Italian

Peninsula.

Maria Theresa:Inherited Austria and other Hapsburg lands.Male was suppose to inherit land, not Female.

Pragmatic Sanction:Allowed Maria Theresa to inherit all the Hapsburg lands.

Laws against her becoming empress

When husband becameEmperor, she became Empress.

Theresa’s/Hapsburg Empire Patchwork of regions and peoples

Belgians, Bohemians, Croatians, Germans, Hungarians, Italians, Poles, Romanians, Serbs, and Slovenes.

Led to many conflicts of language, religion, and nationality. German states became resentful to Hapsburg power.Character and size of Hapsburg Empire

○ Geographic○ Cultural○ Historic diversity○ Made difficult to rule effectively.

Rise of the Hohenzollerns ruled Brandenburg-Prussia (Austria’s chief rival) Goal: increase power and gain more land

Branch of family settled in Brandenburg, N. Germany Ruler of Brandenburg became elector of HRE

Ruled several territories including Prussia (Baltic Sea) Rulers:

Frederick William (Great Elector) Ruled at end of Thirty Years’ War. Unified armies into one strong force. Improved tax system, agriculture, Industry, and transportation. Succeeded Great Elector, and all landsUnified in practice under rule of Prussia. Consolidated power for Honhenzollern family.

Frederick William I Son of Frederick William Ended lavished spending

Doubled size of army and made efficient fighting force○ Discipline within army, punishments harsh, soldiers obeyed

orders instantly. King: overhauled govt. and brought state as whole under control. Prussian army among most powerful army in Europe.

○ Expanded interests and protected its borders.

Tax collecting and government spending fully planned Encouraged trade and new industries Children required to go to school

Frederick the Great (Frederick II) Son of Frederick William I

Worried that he was not interested in government or military affairs.

Wrote poetry, played the flute, read philosophy King used harsh methods, including prison to change Fred II

Frederick II and companion tried to escape Prussia When caught, king made Frederick watch companions execution.

Frederick II Even stronger ruler than father Became ruler of Prussia same yearas Maria Theresa became ruler of Austria. Highly intelligent and worked to expandTerritory and prestige of Prussia.

Conflict Between Prussia and Austria Frederick II took Prussian Army to Silesia (Maria Theresa’s

powerful territory) Prussians seized Silesia easily. Started the War of Austrian Succession One side: Prussia, Bavaria, Spain, and France Other side: Austria, Great Britain, Netherlands, Russia Outcome: Austria lost, and Silesia went to Prussia.

Diplomatic Revolution “reversal of alliances”

Austria and Great Britain were alliances/Great Britain now allied with Prussia

To keep from Prussia from becoming too powerful, France sided with Austria and Russia.

Rivalries led to Seven Years’ War Fighting actually began in North America (French and Indian

War) Battles took place on continent and in European colonies

overseas. Prussia supported by Great Britain Austria supported by France/Russia Battles: Prussia defeated French forces.

○ Prevented Austria from reclaiming Silesia. Prussians were defeated later badly byAustrian/Russia force. Great Britain won more battles in Canada/India

Turning Point: Empress of Russia, Elizabeth died Czar Peter III takes over. Great admiration for Frederick II. No

desire to continue supporting Prussia’s enemies. Broke alliance with Austria/France and made separate peace with

Prussia. King George III: made clear his intention to withdraw.

Seven Years War ended with no clear winner Signed treaty in 1763

Confirmed Prussia’s hold on Silesia Treaty of Paris in same year:

○ Gave most of North American territoriesto Great Britain.

Years of Peace Destruction and loss of life in Europe, North America, and India. Prussia and Russia drained treasuries Powers became reluctant to fight again

Went from concentrating on war to recovery Monarchs continued ways to expand national boundaries, find new

sources of wealth, and extend their powers. Frederick the Great: expanded public education, civil service

system, and had tolerance for religious minorities. Prussia recovered economic prosperity. Prussia also gained new territory within these years.